What does it mean, and what form does it take? From formal religion to private conversation, hope and supplication to comfort and meditation, and even parody of well-known prayers, it’s time explore this mysterious human activity in song
Read moreHappening now: songs about tomorrow
It’s linked to today and yesterday, but the anticipation or idea of tomorrow is the focus, and in this theme, not just word that appears somewhere in lyrics, but plays a central or prominent role or within it, expresses in many ways
Read moreTry putting this down: songs with self-deprecation
Humorous or serious? Self-defence mechanism, attention-seeking, of self-aggrandisement? This week’s lyric topic is richly nuanced, ironic, and covers a range of emotions, often fuelled by love and ambition, tempered by self-belittling
Read moreIt's like this: songs with similes
Used in literature and everyday speech, it’s the verbal tool that compares one contrasting thing to another, by using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’. But where do they come up in song lyrics, and where, ideally, are they effective and original?
Read moreGame of Tones? Songs about deceptive appearances
Sex, love relationships, work, politics, and war, appearances all play apart in the game of life, and this week with a huge cast of talent coming to visit the Bar, we discuss and explore the art and topic of false or true in song lyrics
Read moreMorning glory? Songs about waking up
From gloom to horny joy, scary or strange surprises to dire straits, this week let's explore all the lyrical and musical sides of regain consciousness in song, with some stimuli here from other forms – film and books
Read moreCrisis? What mid-life crisis? Songs about renewal, rebirth and starting over
What links Mr Benn, Reginald Perrin, John Lennon, Beck, Jill Scott, Siobhan Fahey, Stephen King and Franz Kafka? From philosophy to religion, giving up drugs to leaving prison, visit Song Bar to find out more and suggest songs on this topic ...
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